Clauses
Spoken Description
Lernen Sie, deutsche Nebensätze zu bilden: Konjunktionen, Relativsätze, Zeit- und Bedingungssätze. Viele Beispieltexte, Übungen und Tipps für flüssiges Schreiben und Sprechen.
Learn how to form German clauses: conjunctions, relative clauses, timing and conditionals. Includes clear explanations, examples, exercises and tips for fluent writing and speaking.
-:- / -:-
Clauses are building blocks of meaning that shape how information is packaged and relate to each other in a sentence. This guide covers the main types of clauses in German and key connectors.
Main Clauses
A main clause Hauptsatz expresses a complete idea and can stand alone. It follows the standard word order where the finite verb is in second position. Main clauses set the framework for additional details given in subordinate clauses.
Subordinate Clauses
A subordinate clause Nebensatz depends on a main clause and often provides extra information such as time, reason, condition, or manner. In German subordinate clauses the finite verb typically moves to the end, and the clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.
Relative Clauses
A relative clause Relativsatz gives more information about a noun in the main clause and begins with a relative pronoun that agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it refers to. Relative clauses help to specify or qualify people, things, or places mentioned previously.
Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial clauses Adverbialsätze function like adverbs and indicate time, cause, purpose, condition, manner, or concession. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as weil, wenn, obwohl, and damit. The choice of conjunction signals the type of relation and whether the clause is obligatory or optional.
Conditional Clauses
Conditional clauses set up hypothetical or real conditions and are introduced by wenn for "if" and falls for "in case". The main clause expresses the result that depends on the condition in the subordinate clause. Conditionals are important for expressing plans, warnings, and contingencies.
Temporal Clauses
Temporal clauses specify when an action takes place and are introduced by conjunctions such as als, wenn, bevor, nachdem, während, and seit. They establish sequencing and timing relations that help to order events in narration or description.
Concessive Clauses
Concessive clauses express contrasts or exceptions and are introduced by obwohl, obgleich, obschon, and wenngleich. They signal that the information in the subordinate clause goes against expectations set by the main clause. Concessives are useful for nuanced argumentation and shading meaning.
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses Relativsätze provide additional information about a noun in the main clause and begin with a relative pronoun that agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it refers to. They help to specify or qualify people, things, or places mentioned previously.
Summary
Main clauses present the core message with the verb in second position. Subordinate clauses add details and send the finite verb to the end. Different subordinating conjunctions signal relations like time, cause, condition, and concession. Relative clauses tie descriptions back to a noun. Mastering clause types and connectors enables precise and nuanced expression.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM